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The 15 best movie podcasts for film critics and buffs

What type of content do you primarily create?

Movie podcasts can be a dime a dozen—shows reviewing the film industry are aplenty. But which podcasts are the best movie podcasts? 

We’ve rounded up the best film podcasts, some that center on deep dives, commentary, and film history, hosted by film critics and pop culture writers, and made for screenwriters, film critics, film buffs, and everyone in between.

Sit back, relax, and enjoy the shows. And when you’re done, don’t miss our list of the 12 best podcasts of 2023...so far .

You Must Remember This

Hosted by Karina Longworth, You Must Remember This delves into the hidden and forgotten stories of Hollywood's golden age. Launched in 2014, You Must Remember This combines meticulous research, engaging storytelling, and Longworth's distinctive narrative style to explore the lives and careers of iconic celebrities, scandals, and significant moments in the history of American cinema. 

Each episode offers listeners a juicy journey through the past, uncovering secrets and lesser-known anecdotes about Hollywood legends from classic movies like Marilyn Monroe, Humphrey Bogart, and Judy Garland. Longworth’s background in film criticism and writing makes her the perfect person to unearth the complex dynamics of the entertainment industry and expose the truth behind all the glitz and glamor. (It doesn’t hurt that her voice is completely authoritative and articulate, yet still melodic.) 

Listeners of You Must Remember This feel like they’ve been transported back in time. It’s a must-listen for cinephiles and history enthusiasts alike.

Listen here: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Other

Read more: Karina Longworth on how You Must Remember This found early success

The Big Picture

Sean Fennessey and Amanda Dobbins co-host The Ringer’s The Big Picture , which covers a range of pop culture and entertainment topics, with a focus on the cinematic world of movies, film industry news, and discussions about the latest releases, as well as interviews with notable figures in the film industry. 

Sean and Amanda provide insightful commentary, reviews, and analysis of both mainstream and independent films and explore broader topics related to the film industry—trends, controversies, and the impact of movies on culture and society. Segments like Top 5s (such as the Top 5 Haunted House movies) and Movie Drafts (such as the Denzel Washington Movie Draft) make The Big Picture feel like a fun place to hang. Their Ringer colleagues Brian Raftery, Chris Ryan, Van Lathan, and Bill Simmons often jump in to add different perspectives.

Blank Check

David Sims and Griffin Newman believe that after certain directors make a critically acclaimed or commercially successful film, they end up with full creative freedom and large budgets by studios to pursue their passion projects. Essentially, they have a "blank check" to make the film of their dreams. Those are the films David and Griffin cover on Blank Check . 

For each episode, they pick a specific director and explore their filmography, dissecting their career, choices, and the impact of their movies on the industry. They’re as knowledgeable as they are appreciative of film, and their depth of knowledge allows them to offer insightful analysis about both the director's work and the broader world of cinema. 

The core friendship between David and Griffin makes Blank Check special. They’ll point out things about films you’ve seen a million times that you’ve never noticed before. 

How Did This Get Made?

You know those films that are epically bad, bizarre, or poorly produced? Even the ones that are painful to watch are fun to talk about. (In some cases, even more so.) On How Did This Get Made? , Paul Scheer, Jason Mantzoukas, and June Diane Raphael discuss and mock movies like Junior , Jaws 3-D , Milk Money , F9: The Fast Saga , and more, in a comedic way. 

This is a comedy podcast as much as it is a movie one. It’s clear they have genuine appreciation for the creativity and quirks of the movies they dissect. With notable guests (like Seth Rogen, Adam Scott, Jenny Slate, and Brie Larson) they shine a light on cult classics, box office flops, obscure titles, or films that have gained notoriety for how bad they are, answering the big question: How did this get made? They mix things up with call-ins from listeners, “Matinee Mondays,” and live shows. People have been laughing out loud to How Did This Get Made since 2010. Join the party. If you’re looking for a straight-up comedy podcast, read about the 10 best comedy podcasts to laugh it out .

Black Men Can’t Jump [In Hollywood]

Actors Jonathan Braylock, Jerah Milligan, and James III are the voices behind Black Men Can't Jump [In Hollywood] , a show dedicated to the portrayal and representation of Black actors and characters in film. 

For each episode, they pick a specific movie—from classics like In the Heat of the Night to newer films like The Blackening , and, yes, White Men Can’t Jump (multiple times)—and probe into its themes, plot, characters, and overall portrayal of Black culture, then analyze how the film contributes to or challenges stereotypes and tropes. It’s a serious and near academic look at the importance of representation in cinema and how the industry has evolved in terms of diversity and inclusion, but it’s not without a dash of comedy and lightheartedness. 

Actors, filmmakers, and industry professionals alike (think Keegan-Michael Key and Phoebe Robinson) pop on to provide additional insights and perspectives. Jonathan, Jerah, and James are always ready with a recommendation of something they think is worth watching for its positive impact on Black culture in Hollywood. 

The Rewatchables

Sports writer, commentator, and founder of The Ringer Bill Simmons is the host of The Rewatchables , a podcast that focuses on the classics and movies that we want to watch again and again and taps into our love of both film and nostalgia. 

Episodes review movies that have gained a cult following, achieved critical acclaim, or have had a lasting impact on pop culture. Bill, along with a rotating panel of guests, have animated discussions on each film’s plot, characters, memorable scenes, and even offer behind-the-scenes trivia. They also talk about the impact of the movie on the industry and its rewatchability factor. 

Listeners can look forward to favorite segments like "What's Age the Best," "Half-Assed Internet Research," and "Who Won the Movie,” and can suggest movies they’d love to hear covered. Bill and co. really know and love the movies. Every episode is relistenable. 

Scriptnotes

For conversations about the craft of screenwriting, filmmaking, and the entertainment industry as a whole, tune into Scriptnotes , co-hosted by screenwriters John August and Craig Mazin. 

Scriptnotes is anti-gatekeeping—John and Craig draw upon their experience as successful screenwriters to offer advice on everything from the art to the business of screenwriting, and give insight into current trends, developments, and issues in Hollywood. In some episodes, John and Craig analyze specific scripts or scenes from popular movies, breaking down what works and what doesn't, offering constructive criticism. 

From digging into basic concepts like a film’s presence and how to write a movie to more niche thought experiments like the nature of words and what gives them their meaning, John and Craig are able to help both aspiring and professional screenwriters alike with the mega guests who join them. (Like Greta Gerwig!) 

The Bechdel Cast

The Bechdel Test is a meme-turned-academic test used to measure gender representation in media. And on The Bechdel Cast , comedians Jamie Loftus and Caitlin Durante use it as criteria to analyze the representation of women in film. To pass the test, a film must have at least two named female characters who have a conversation with each other that does not revolve around a man. Sounds simple, but you’d be surprised how often your favorite movies fail. (And how surprising movies like Mean Girls pass.) 

The Bechdel Test is decades old, and much about the way we talk about gender in media has changed, and Jamie and Caitlin have adapted the show to acknowledge that by challenging binary thinking and weaving intersectionality into their discussions and movie reviews. 

So it’s a movie podcast, sure. But it’s also a show about feminism, gender equality, and the importance of diverse and well-rounded female characters in storytelling. The best part? It’s hilarious. Episodes can feel like comedy sets, and recurring inside jokes make loyal listeners feel part of The Bechdel Cast family. 

Black on Black Cinema

There’s certainly a need for greater diversity and representation in the film industry, and on Black on Black Cinema , Micah, Terrence, and Rob provide in-depth Black film reviews and frank conversations that matter to the Black community, one movie at a time. 

Their conversations go deep into commentary about how Black actors and directors have impacted and challenged traditional Hollywood narratives. A few things make this show stand out, besides the fact it’s focusing on Black film: Micah, Terrance, and Rob, lean into disagreements, which makes for interesting, complex discussions. And there isn’t a lot of fluff. They get into things fast and stay on track. While addressing important social issues, the team keeps the jokes rolling. 

One Apple Podcasts review says: “This podcast is like listening in on a conversation in a black barbershop. The guys are funny and insightful.”

Paul Scheer mocks bad movies on How Did This Get Made , and on Unspooled , which he co-hosts with film critic Amy Nicholson, he’s doing something a little different. 

For season one, Amy and Paul went through the American Film Institute's list of the top 100 American movies of all time and gave in-depth analysis, historical and cultural context, and a review for each, explaining how the classic film fit into the history of cinema. Now that they’re done with that, their seasons skip around to other movies, based on themes like horror flicks, documentaries and romantic comedies, with help from their vibrant listener community, who write in with their own picks and vote in Unspooled’s Listener's Choice Bracket. Guests come in sometimes, but this is a really host- and community-driven show. 

MUBI is a streaming service that just so happens to have one the most interesting, well-produced movie podcasts out there. It was twice named "Best Arts or Entertainment Podcast" at the L.A. Press Club’s 2022 and 2023 National Arts & Entertainment Journalism Awards, was nominated for a 2022 Webby Award for "Best Individual Podcast Episode” and for "Best New Podcast" at the 2022 British Podcast Awards, and was nominated for "Best Entertainment Show" and "Best Scriptwriting" at the 2023 Ambie Awards. So while I tend to think it’s underrated, it is getting noticed. 

It’s a storytelling film podcast that works its way through themes. Season one focused on films that have great importance in their home country, but are less celebrated by international audiences. Season two told stories about individual movie theaters. In season three, new episodes focused on film “needle-drops”—moments where filmmakers deployed pre-existing music instead of an original score.

Little Gold Men

Little Gold Men is Vanity Fair’s movie podcast that covers a wide range of topics about the film industry, with a strong focus on awards shows, red-carpet premieres, and the road it takes for films to get there. 

Their awards season coverage is the place to learn about predictions, nominees, winners, and history. They’re busy during the film festivals, too, covering noteworthy films and emerging talent at Cannes, Sundance and more. Off-season is fleshed out with movie analysis and interviews with filmmakers, actors, directors, and other industry pros. 

Hosts Katey Rich, Richard Lawson, Becca Ford, and David Canfield might be your Oscar oracles, but they’ll keep you up to date all year round. 

Films to Be Buried With

Roy Kent truly is “here, he's there, he's every-f*cking-where!" ( Ted Lasso fans will recognize the fan chant for the show’s AFC Richmond captain.) The man behind the legend is Brett Goldstein, who also hosts the podcast Films to be Buried With . 

The premise: Brett asks his guests to name the films that are so good you’d want to be buried with them. Of course, the conversation is never that simple, and the guests end up describing their own lives through the great movies they’d like to take with them to the grave. It’s an interesting way to get to know people like Heléne York, Barry Jenkins, Taylor Tomlinson, and yes…Jason Sudekis. 

Brett is a great conversationalist who doesn’t pretend to be a film expert (though he has seen a lot of movies)—he really wants to know more about his fantastic guests. But along the way, we hear about favorites and classics like When Harry Met Sally , The Sound of Music , and more. 

You Are Good

You Are Good bills itself as a “feelings podcast about movies.” It’s not film criticism (although it does go there) as much as it is an opportunity for hosts Sarah Marshall (of You’re Wrong About ) and Alex Steed to gush about favorite movies with guests and get to the bottom of why these films hit us so hard. 

Sarah and Alex go back into the archives—most of the movies are at least a decade old—to wade through all the emotions of nostalgia, joy, and occasionally discomfort that titles like Top Gun , High Fidelity , Steel Magnolias , and Amadeus bring. 

This is a kind and empathetic show, more about human nature than film history or facts. It feels like a warm hug and a happy place you can run to when you just want to bask in the glow of beloved movies, and the things that make them resonate with us all. 

Hollywood Gold

Hollywood Gold isn’t just another film review podcast. Daniela Taplin Lundberg of Stay Gold Features ( The Kids Are All Right, Harriet, Honey Boy ) covers films like Thelma & Louise , Memento , and Mean Streets— but on Hollywood Gold, instead of hearing from an actor or a film critic, you hear from producers and screenwriters: the people behind the scenes who saw everything and really know the whole story. 

It feels a little gossip-y, kind of like You Must Remember This . But the films are more modern blockbusters—think The Outsiders (with the film’s producer Fred Roos), Austin Powers (with the film’s producer Jennifer Todd), or Scream (with the film’s producer Cathy Konrad). A podcast like this could easily get "inside baseball" really quickly, but Daniela makes sure to explain terms that may not make sense to people outside of the industry, and adds plenty of context to catch us all up.

If film podcasts aren’t for you, read about 8 types of podcasts: Discover the right podcast format for your show . (Or maybe try The best video game podcasts you can’t miss out on .)

Are you a podcast host yourself? Learn about choosing podcast topics to build and engage an audience and learn 15 brilliant podcast segment ideas, with examples from actual shows .

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The 20 Best Movie Podcasts (for every film buff)

Last updated on January 26th, 2021

Unless you were a film fanatic, historically, movie chat has ranked up there with talking about weekend plans or the weather: exactly the type of fodder you need to survive the office/first date/dinner with the in-laws. But now there is new hope! Wax eloquent like Roger Ebert or A. O. Scott with these movie podcasts. More importantly, and more seriously, film podcasts are changing representation by giving a voice to the communities and issues that have, for too long, been marginalized or purposefully ignored. From deconstructing filmic tropes and challenging assumed histories to just laughing along at some really terrible movies, there are shows for everyone, from the Hollywood hopeful and the cinephile to those just trying to make it through a family dinner unscathed. Here are our favorite movie podcasts for film fans.

1. Scriptnotes

For aspiring screenwriters, listen to John August and Craig Mazin’s Scriptnotes , a weekly movie podcast that dives into all things “interesting to screenwriters.” While not claiming to be much, this film podcast is a treasure-trove of information, with hundreds of episodes a year and an enormous archive. On air since 2011, the early episodes cast a close look at the nitty-gritty of script writing: not just the common pitfalls of screenplays or if an idea is movie-worthy, but also the Bechdel test and inequality in Hollywood. The guestlist is star-studded, with everyone from David Koepp to Julia Louis-Dreyfus and Melissa McCarthy stopping by to discuss the craft and creation of movies. Recurring segments like the Three-page Challenge let hopeful screenwriters send in the first pages of their scripts for on-air critiques. 

Listen : Apple Podcasts | Stitcher | Spotify

If your approach is more expansive than obsessive, then film critic Amy Nicholson has you covered. Each episode begins with a single film, say Downtown Abbey or A Star is Born , and then Nicholson steers you on a rollercoaster ride from there. ZOOM is teeming with history, science and politics, and Nicholson is a nimble driver: in her recent look at portrayals of the British monarchy, she began with a dramatic description of the decapitation of Mary Queen of Scots in Thomas Edison’s short film The Execution of Mary Stuart from 1895. I didn’t even know that Edison made films, and for what it is worth, that beheading with the first recorded use of special effects in the movies. 

Listen : Apple Podcasts | Stitcher

3. The Rewatchables

From the team behind The Ringer (so you know it will be hilarious) comes The Rewatchables , which is exactly like it sounds: Bill Simmons and a rotating series of hosts “discussing movies they can’t seem to stop watching.” The co-hosts humorously break down each movie into its ‘most rewatchable scenes’ as they remember their initial viewings and evolving interpretations. Context, it seems, is everything and often, these guests are shocked by how far they’ve come as viewers. The movie podcast is witty and quick, the pop culture conversation you wish you were having at a bar. 

4. You Must Remember This

Accolades pour in for You Must Remember This , the best podcast for all things old Hollywood, the secrets, scandals and forgotten histories. The episodes clock in under an hour and are all written, produced and narrated by Karina Longworth, an all-out wunderkind who somehow does everything and more in just 24-hours. Each episode’s narrative is a captivating, mind-blowing and meticulously researched feat of film journalism. The upcoming season of You Must Remember This focuses entirely on Song of the South , the 1946 hybrid animated and live-action film from Disney which was set on a post-Civil War plantation. Since it was released over seventy years ago, the film has been criticised for promoting racial stereotypes and was never released on video. So, Longworth wants to know: “what is Song of the South, and why did Disney make it?”

5. Denzel Washington Is the Greatest Actor of All Time PERIOD

Hollywood heavy Denzel Washington has acted in over thirty films, not to mention countless television programs and Broadway plays, and Denzel Washington Is the Greatest Actor of All Time PERIOD is a fan account co-hosted by two unabashed Denzealots. Although it is no longer on the air, comedian W. Kamau Bell and writer Kevin Avery made Denzel Washington Is the Greatest Actor of All Time PERIOD comic gold. Joined by guests like Chris Chalk and Vincent D’Onofrio, the hosts wax poetic about their favourite actor of all time as they attempt to prove their titular premise. Tackling each movie in alphabetical order, they rank  the star’s performance by its Denzelishness, a scientific system consisting of five elemental truths: the Denzel walk; humor; his badass self; the Denzel lip; and his “his trademark move that consists of a sort of George Clooney head wobble coupled with narrowed eyes.” Come for the mancrush, stay for the laughs. 

6. How Did This Get Made? & Unspooled

Ever wonder why that fourth movie in the horror franchise was made? Or what actually happened in the latest Tom Cruz action adventure? Well, How did this get made? might not have an answer, but certainly you will find yourself laughing along with hosts, the actors and comedians Paul Scheer, June Diane Raphael and Jason Mantzoukas, as they attempt to untangle the thorny plots of terrible films. They aren’t particularly discriminating in what they examine, and have looked at such cinematic delights as Anaconda , From Justin to Kelly , and My Stepmother Is an Alien . If you love the comedy but are hoping for something slightly more highbrow, in 2018, Scheer launched a new podcast, Unspooled , this time aimed at Hollywood’s all-time greats. Despite being a self-proclaimed movie buff, Scheer realised he shockingly hadn’t seen many of the anointed classic films. Co-hosted with Amy Nicholson of ZOOM , Scheer has been making his way through the American Film Institute’s Top 100 movies, hoping to uncover “what makes classics like Citizen Kane and Taxi Driver so special.” 

How Did This Get Made? Listen : Apple Podcasts | Stitcher | Spotify

Unspooled Listen : Apple Podcasts | Stitcher | Spotify

7. Still Processing

While not explicitly a podcast about film, Still Processing from the New York Times is definitely worth a listen, or many listens. The podcast is hosted by the paper’s culture writers Jenna Wortham and Wesley Morris, who together reckon with culture in all its diverse incarnations as they try to come to grips with with contemporary America. Each episode is chatty and compelling, focussing on a different subject from Get Out and alternative histories perpetuated by the media to J. Lo’s triumphant performance in Hustlers . Richly confessional, Morris and Wortham chat like true friends, and in revealing their insecurities, biases and crushes, they outline the messiness of processing the world. See their recent conversation about Oscar winner Green Book which skillfully connected the trial of Jason Van Dyke to racial reconciliation fantasies and the documentary Surviving R. Kelly.  Culture, it seems, is never an isolated industry.

8. Black on Black Cinema

Black on Black Cinema is a nuanced look at the Black film industry. Zigzagging in time from the 2019 release of The Watchmen back to the 1974 blaxploitation action classic, Three the Hard Way , our three hosts, Jay, Micah and Terrence, thoughtfully consider the role of Black film today. Given that Hollywood has long discriminated against Black actors and filmmakers, theirs is a trenchant and supremely relevant conversation. But despite the weight of the topic, don’t think that Black on Black Cinema is devoid of humor, and these hosts know how to mock and goad one another. On air since 2012, the podcast is produced weekly, so the back catalogue  is worth perusing. 

9. The Qwipster Film Review Podcast

For straight up film reviews that are always more than just recaps, check out Vince Leo’s The Qwipster Film Review Podcast. Leo covers everything from Marvel blockbusters to indie films in smart, fun-sized episodes that are each about ten minutes long. Jampacked with information, The Qwipster Film Review is nevertheless filled with thoughtful, quippy commentary just as its title suggests. These are perfect for your commute to work, or when you need something smart to say in the office kitchen. 

10. Cinema Clash

Maryland-based film-critic Charlie Juhl and part-time reviewer and full-on fanatic Hannah Buchdal debate new releases in Cinema Clash. Often covering multiple films an episode, the podcast is an unedited, riotous conversation about the plusses and hazards of contemporary cinema. That both have vastly differing opinions – Juhl favors everything obscure and overlooked, while Buchdahl LOVES mainstream movies – makes for an exciting listen and rowdy debate. 

Listen : Apple Podcasts

Movie Podcasts Honorable Mentions

• The Cine-file
• Double Toasted
• Podcast Like It’s 1999
• Hollywood Babble On
• Filmspotting
• Kermode and Mayo’s Film Review
• I Was There Too
• This Had Oscar Buzz

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13 Great Film Podcasts, According to a Film Critic

It’s that glorious time of year: fall movie season! More specifically, it’s that slot in the calendar, just slightly after the scrum of film festivals and as the first waves of awards-buzz flicks begin to trickle out, when my brain suddenly shifts toward fixating on Oscar trivia, awards betting odds, and new movie release schedules at my local independent cinema here in Middle America, with its extensive lag in distributing new releases.

To commemorate the occasion, I thought it would be fun to wrap a whole newsletter around the vibrant genre of film podcasts. (Fun fact: Film podcasts were the very first podcasts I got into when I initially became a fan of the medium. Shoutout to the OG Filmspotting .) To that end, I reached out to New York film critic Bilge Ebiri, who happens to be a patron of, and an exceptionally prolific guest on, such programs.

Nick Quah: I get the sense, just from following your Twitter feed over the years, that you listen to film podcasts a fair bit. What’s in your rotation?

Bilge Ebiri: It’s weird, because I don’t think of myself as a big film-podcast listener. I mostly listen to sports and basketball podcasts — mainly because I can’t stand to read sports coverage — and I often prefer to read about films than to hear about films. I have been a guest on a lot of podcasts. I like doing them, and they’re all very interesting people. When I’m invited on a podcast, I listen to as many of them as I can before I jump on to get a sense of what they’re like. Very often, I’ll stick around and dip in when it’s an actor or a director or a guest I’m interested in.

The ones I do listen to are ones I feel guilty about not listening to all the time. One of them is Cows in the Field . It’s by Justin Khoo and his wife, Laura, both of whom are blindingly smart. Justin actually teaches philosophy at MIT. It’s one of the few podcasts that I will listen to even if it’s a movie I’m not necessarily interested in or a movie I’ve never heard about, which is rare. They bring a level of … “elevated discourse” is maybe not the right word, but they’re able to tackle deep philosophical themes with these movies in a way many movie podcasts tend not to. They’ll engage you on the ideas in a movie, so you wind up doing some work when you’re speaking with them.

Another one I like is Light the Fuse . It’s mostly about Mission: Impossible , but they’ll occasionally go off and do another movie that’s somehow related. Recently, they did a few episodes around Top Gun , and they call that series Light the Fuselage . It’s probably the best podcast to listen to if you’re at all interested in the craft of making films. Most of their guests are people who’ve worked on Mission: Impossible movies or adjacent films — for example, they had Joseph Kosinski on, who directed Top Gun: Maverick , or Eddie Hamilton, who edited Top Gun . They’ll talk to editors, sound designers, assistant cameramen. The nice thing about bringing on these people is that they actually get into the nitty-gritty. Especially when they’re talking about movies from the past, the bullshit just goes away. People aren’t in promo mode. And because these are often below-the-line people who aren’t media trained, you can get a lot of great stories.

They also keep the podcast short, which I appreciate. I don’t mind long podcasts, like, you know, the Blank Check guys. I’ve been on that show a couple of times, too. They do a good job with the epic two- or three-hour podcasts, but my problem is that I’ll start listening to one for about an hour, and I’ll love it, but I’ll never finish it because my walk is over or the dishes are done, you know?

There are all these other little podcasts I’ve really enjoyed doing and listening to. Exiting Through the 2010s , which is kind of focused on movies from the 2010s. The B-Side . Oeuvre Busters , which I can’t tell if it’s around any more. [ Nick’s note : They are, but have since rebranded as Rohmercast .] They would do deep dives on specific filmmakers. It’s another podcast like Cows in the Field , where the hosts were really well prepared, everyone knew their stuff, and we talked about heady concepts. Cannes I Kick It , which looks at films from a particular festival slate and uses it as an excuse to talk about different directors. I went on there to talk about Claire Denis , who famously has not been to many Cannes festivals. The Film Stage Show is one I was just on to talk about Three Thousand Years of Longing . One of the hosts and I got into a brief shouting match, which was fun. It can be fun if you’re all agreeing about a movie, but I really enjoy it when there’s a real give and take. I don’t get to do that much in my daily life. I mean, I’ll see fellow critics at screenings and stuff, but we don’t really talk that much. I’m home with my wife and son, and sometimes my son sees the movies I see, but not that often. I think whenever I show him a movie, he just feels obligated to say he likes it.

I really like Watch With Jen™ . It’s Jen Johans’s podcast, who I think is based out of Arizona, and she’ll have guests on to talk about a specific subject and then multiple films around that subject. I guested on an episode where we talked about Colin Farrell movies , and in a couple of weeks I’ll get back on to talk about Ralph Fiennes movies. They’re pegged to movies that are coming out, but it’s a chance to talk about these older films, and for me to revisit these older films, which is something I really enjoy doing.

Of course, I love the podcasts by my friend Blake Howard, who made One Heat Minute , which was such a great project. [ Nick’s note : It was — the premise involves dedicating each episode to talking about a different minute in Michael Mann’s iconic film Heat .] Blake has since become a podcast impresario . He’s done all of these other different projects, and I’m astounded by how enthusiastic he still manages to be for a guy who appears to be doing multiple podcasts a day. After One Heat Minute , he did All the President’s Minutes , which was phenomenal. He also made a Zodiac series , which was wonderful, and much more scripted. He does Miami Nice with Katie Walsh, and you know, I love Miami Vice . It started off with them just talking about Miami Vice and how much they loved it and it sort of grew and grew and grew. Now they’ll get a guy who was Colin Farrell’s assistant on that movie. It’s become more granular, and more gossipy, which is great.

Nick Quah: It strikes me that film podcasts are uniquely good at plugging into two modes of engagement that’s prominent with movie culture: deep, almost-exegetical analysis, and nostalgic ephemera. It’s kind of a space for extreme processing of history, basically.

Bilge Ebiri: That’s the thing. I like to write about older films, and it’s fascinating to me how little of the past has managed to be preserved in the online era. We thought the internet was going to be this thing that preserved everything; we didn’t have to remember things because the internet was gonna remember it all for us. But the opposite happened, and we realized, “Oh right, the internet remembering everything doesn’t mean anything if we don’t remember it ourselves.” So you have all this stuff that basically only exists in the minds of people who … well, are old. I like a lot of these podcasts because they actually talk about older films. It’s a way to talk about them without having to come up with a take or pegging it to an anniversary.

Though there are some I like that are more news updates, like the [horror-centric] New Flesh podcast. I like Disaster Girls , by Jordan Crucchiola (who used to work at Vulture) and Amanda Smith, where they’re just talking about disaster movies. There are so many of them that they just have infinite opportunities to talk about these movies. I love that; podcasts that are built around a specific subject like that. In a way, blogs used to do that. There’d be a blog dedicated to this or that type of movie. I see less and less of those today, and yeah, I guess they’ve kind of migrated to podcasts.

Nick Quah: Do you get the sense if film criticism, and perhaps criticism more generally, is shifting to these other digital spaces? Or, perhaps, if you were trying to find your way into criticism, making a podcast or making YouTube essays could be a way to wedge open the door?

Bilge Ebiri: This is the thing: I don’t watch anything on YouTube. Not because I think they’re bad or anything like that. It’s just a habit from being in the office where I feel like if I’m watching a YouTube video, I’m not doing my job. Whereas a podcast you listen to while you’re multitasking. I can’t really write when I’m listening to a podcast, but I can do a million other things.

As for the criticism thing, I don’t know if that’s a way in so much as that’s a way to go further in that space. I remember, one of the first podcasts I ever did was The Cinephiliacs , which was started by Peter Labuza. At the time, he was working at a legal office. Young guy. Grad school, if I remember correctly. We came in after hours at the legal office and we’d sit in the conference room — he had permission to do it — and he’d set up the microphone and everything. Then he would grill the guest, usually critics, for about an hour about their career and stuff, and then talk about a movie. That was a really fun podcast to do, and Peter was really, really smart. He continued on, and I think he’s now … an academic, I wanna say. [ Nick’s note : Labuza is now a researcher with the International Cinematographers Guild. Also, Ebiri’s very first film podcast experience was on Filmwax Radio , an interview show hosted by Adam Schartoff, which started way back in 2011.]

A podcast, I think, can be a way to move forward, but I don’t know if there are many cases of someone who just did a podcast who then left to another medium, because they require quite different skills. A lot of writers, they’ll have their regular gig or whatever, but then they’ll also have a podcast, which gets them in front of a different audience. I find that when I do a podcast, you know, I’ll get a lot of new followers who are younger. I don’t know if that correlates, but that’s been my impression.

Nick Quah: Last question. As we get closer to the NBA season: favorite basketball podcast?

Bilge Ebiri: Oh, so I have three, and I listen to every episode of these. There’s the Glue Guys podcast, which is basically two Nets fans. They’re under The Athletic , so they love to talk about how they’re now a subsidiary of the New York Times . They don’t do a lot of in-game analysis. They mostly talk a little bit about a game, but they talk a lot about just like the vibe around the Nets.

I really like the Brooklyn Buzz podcast, um, which is again, two Nets fans. One of them is actually in Australia, Jack Manuel, which is funny because he’s been a Nets fan for years before they got all these Australian players. They’re a fun podcast because Jack gets very emotional about the Nets. He’ll get very emotional about the game and start yelling and screaming and stuff, which is great.

And the last one is Locked On Nets . They actually feel like they’ve been following the Nets for longer than anybody because they have a real sense of perspective and just have a reflective quality about them. I really appreciate that, because one thing I’ve found with a lot of sports podcasts is that no one … I mean, we talked about film and people not having any memory, but compared to sports-podcast people, film-podcast people are like elephants!

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11 must-listen movie podcasts for film buffs, we give you our rundown of the top 11 best movie podcasts for all the film lovers out there. sit back, relax, and prepare to be entertained.

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If there aren’t enough movies in the world to fulfil your film appetite, why not try a podcast? From in-depth reviews, to comedic candid discussions of your favourites, to explorations of the racial diversity of Hollywood, you’re bound to find something.

There’s so many movie podcasts out there, it’s hard to find exactly what you’re looking for. We’ve rounded up the best ones so you don’t have to wade through them all yourself.

1. In Review: Movies Ranked, Reviewed and Recapped

If you’re itching to rewatch all the most popular movies ever made (or just your favourite series), this podcast will join you for the ride. Covering everything from Pixar to Harry Potter to Marvel, each episode reviews, recaps and ultimately ranks a blockbuster movie. The hosts are clearly great friends who love these films. The show’s a genuinely fun listen, especially when they start nerding out about their topics. Average episode length is 1 hour 30, and they’re released twice a week. There’s also an option to watch this one as a video podcast on YouTube if you’re into that.

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2. Cinema Clash

Two Washington D.C. critics, Charlie Juhl and Hannah Buchdahl, go head to head on which movies are must-watch and which are best missed. Hannah’s favourites are mainstream movies, while Charlie prefers the obscure indie underdogs of the film world. Full of friendly banter, this podcast gives two perspectives on all kinds of films. They go into depth on what parts of each movie they liked, and what didn’t work for them. So if you’re looking for critical film reviews, this is the show for you. Most episodes are around 40 minutes long, and come out every Saturday.

3. You Must Remember This

If you’re into history and non-fiction, you’re going to love this podcast. Giving deep-dives into the murky tales of Hollywood’s beginnings in the twentieth century, You Must Remember This is meticulously researched and marvelously well-written. The podcast is made up of mini series, each exploring a different topic within American culture. They get into everything from women’s sexuality to racial stereotypes to fake news. The latest mini series to get stuck into is Gossip Girls , all about celebrity gossip, and how it’s changed over the past hundred years.

4. Black Men Can’t Jump (In Hollywood)

Every week, your three hosts review a different movie that has leading actors of colour. This podcast is the perfect mix of light comedy and real discussions about stuff that matters. The hosts have true chemistry and are entertaining, but the conversations around racial diversity are real. And they always put their discussions into the wider context of Hollywood’s issues. New episodes come out every Monday, and are usually around 1 hour 10 minutes long.

5. Denzel Washington is the Greatest Actor of All Time Period

This podcast is slowly but surely reviewing every Denzel Washington movie ever, in alphabetical order. Your hosts are two comedians, W. Kamau Bell and Kevin Avery, joined by guests to discuss all things Denzel. Sounds like a pretty niche show. But it’s actually got loads of appeal, even if you’ve only a passing interest in Denzel Washington. The podcast uses this actor as a way into talking about how the film industry, and American culture in general, has changed over time. And it does it all with a good measure of laughs in each episode. New episodes come out every week, and last for an hour on average.

6. Film Stories

If you’re interested in what goes on behind the scenes of your favourite films, you’ve come to the right podcast. Your host Simon Brew will look at the stories behind the screen. You’ll discover all the trials and tribulations that happen on a movie’s journey from idea to cinema. It covers everything from the intricacies of rights issues all the way to the kind of dramas that nearly led to film releases completely falling apart. Simon Brew is a wonderful host, and his genuine love of movies is the highlight of this show. Regular episodes are around 45-55 minutes long. There’s also some longer episodes that come when the podcast gets a guest on the show, like movie writers or directors.

7. This Had Oscar Buzz

If you want a podcast that’s equal parts informative and entertaining, this could be the show for you. Your hosts Joe and Chris take you through films that once upon a time had aspirations to win an Oscar, before something went wrong. The films have fascinating stories behind them, so it’s always an interesting listen, whether they’re talking about Pixar or Emma Stone. Joe and Chris are also really comforting to listen to. It’s the perfect podcast to pass the time when you just need a bit of movie distraction. Episodes average around 1 hour 45 minutes long, and come out every Monday.

8. The Bechdel Cast

Jamie and Caitlin are joined by a new guest each week to discuss a film from an intersectional feminist lens. They use the Bechdel Test to start off their conversations - for a film to pass, it needs two named women to speak to each other about something other than a man. Fair warning, this podcast might change how you think about all your favourite movies. It’s funny and charming, but also super insightful. Movies that break the glass ceiling are praised, but there’s a fair bit of constructive criticism too for films that actually aren’t that feminist. Episodes come out every Thursday and last around 2 hours each.

9. Clash of the Titles

Welcome to your new podcast addiction. This show sees your hosts put two films head to head each week, and they fight it out til one’s crowned the best. If you’re looking for a movie podcast that just feels like hanging out with friends, this is it. You can interact with the show too on social media, following the clues each episode to guess what the next two films will be. So if you want a proper community feeling from your film review show, Clash of the Titles is the one for you. Each debate comes in two parts, and there’s one debate per week.

10. Mary vs the Movies

If you love 80s movies, this podcast is for you. Mary and her partner Dennis are working their way through all the popular movies they were too young to watch back in the day, and they’re inviting you along for the ride. Each episode shows them guessing what the movie will be about, then they go away and watch it, and come back to discuss their thoughts. They always give you insightful analysis as well as a few laughs to keep it light. Whether you’ve seen all the movies yourself or not, it’s well worth a listen. You might find yourself wanting to catch up on all that 80s cinematography yourself! Episodes come out every Friday, and run at around 40 minutes each.

11. Filmspotting

Adam and Josh are proper film nerds, and their podcast is a love letter for fellow cinema lovers. If you’re looking for some good old fashioned film appreciation, you’ve found it here. It’s thoughtful and insightful, and you’ll expand your film knowledge by listening. It’s full of interesting segments too, like the top 5’s - including top 5 romantic gestures in movies, and top 5 films from 1971. Episodes come out weekly and are about 1 hour 30 minutes long.

Get Listening!

That’s it, all the podcasts you need to fill in all the time you have in between watching movies. From recommendations to in-depth analysis to debates all made in good jest, there’s something here for everyone.

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Popcorn and Podcasts: 15 Best Movie Podcasts for Your Commute

Discover your next watch for movie night or dive into film fandoms with movie podcasts. These are the best movie review podcasts, from classics to pop culture.

What do you do after finishing a movie? Whether watching on the big screen or curling up on your couch, you’ll most likely talk to someone about it! If you don’t have someone to debate the best and worst bits, tune into a film podcast! Movie podcasts are the place to take your love for films further. 

If you loved or hated it, want to understand a character better, or listen to other people’s opinions, a movie review podcast can be a lot of fun. Listen to hosts pick apart the plot and speculate on what’s coming next. Alternatively, you may tune into filmmaking podcasts to learn about scriptwriting or directing. There are endless shows to discover, so we’ve collected the best movie podcasts to help you find a suitable genre. Before we dive into this ultimate list, let us introduce our fun learning app, Headway.

At Headway, we love learning about different topics and learning new skills. So, we made it our mission to make fun educational resources accessible to everyone. Our app lets you discover new topics from anywhere by transforming the best nonfiction books into bite-sized summaries . Like podcasts, you can listen to our natural voiceovers and learn on the go! It’s a great tool to use alongside your favorite movie podcast. So, let’s dive in and find your next listen.

Best pop culture podcasts for film buffs  

Stay up to date with the latest pop culture news and movies. Discover easy-going episodes that feel like chatting with friends. Alternatively, take a deep dive into your favorite box office hits.

1. Little Gold Men by Vanity Fair 

I f your love for movies goes beyond the screen, you’ll adore Vanity Fair’s film podcast, Little Gold Men . It is one of the best pop culture podcasts for those who want an insider’s scoop into Hollywood. This show provides a unique perspective on movie stars, from red carpets to award shows and success stories. The episodes vary in length and have an exciting lineup of guests, including critics, celebrities, and directors. Tune into Little Gold Men if you’re curious how the biggest actors on screen got their success.  

2. Lights Camera Barstool

Do you know the movie that came out last week? You can expect these guys to have an episode on it. In this lighthearted series, the trio of hosts has candid chats about the newest movie releases. With over hour-long episodes, they cover various movies, food, pop culture news, and more. They are responsive to trends and often comment on the latest movies reasonably quickly. Moreover, listeners can enjoy mixed views with multiple people in each episode and many genres to explore. If you’re looking for an easy-going listen you can dip in and out of, try Lights Camera Barstool . 

3. How Did This Get Made? 

Are you seeking a comedic film podcast? Look no further than How Did This Get Made? Comedians Paul Scheer, June Diane Raphael, and Jason Mantzoukas take us through the worst movies you cannot help but love. From classic oldies to recent releases, listeners send bad movie recommendations for the cast to watch and review. This show offers a hilarious spin on your typically serious movie review podcast. Instead, it is lighthearted and easy to listen to from anywhere. Moreover, the hosts invite humourous guests to join them in their reviews. Check out their latest episodes if you’re looking for funny movie podcasts.

4. Popcorn Psychology

Sometimes you cannot help but wonder why a character behaves in particular ways. Popcorn Psychology is a fascinating podcast about movies from a therapist’s perspective. At times it is entertaining and lighthearted. However, the show also deals with important topics such as trauma and relationship issues. Furthermore, as well as hearing an expert discuss these hit movies, listeners get valuable advice. It’s not a movie review podcast, but it gives you an exciting insight into the characters you love and hate.

5. The Rewatchables 

What movie could you watch on repeat? Some movies grab our attention and won’t let go, whether it’s a global sensation or a guilty pleasure. The Rewatchables is a celebration of all the films you’ve rewatched. Bill Simmons, Chris Ryan, and Sean Fennessey, break down your favorites to understand why they are so compelling. You can count on this trio (and their guests) to deliver an informative and entertaining podcast about movies. It may surprise, annoy, and excite you as the show offers diverse opinions on some classics. 

Best film history podcast 

The best film podcasts are sometimes the ones spotlighting classic movies. From nostalgic favorites to record-breaking screenings, these stories made the film industry. 

6. You Must Remember This 

We watch movies to immerse ourselves in another time, place, or life. However, while engaging with other narratives is entertaining, it also educates audiences. If you want to dive into movie podcasts, You Must Remember This is an ideal transition from visual storytelling to audio. Karina Longworth narrates nonfiction tales from Hollywood’s past in a thrilling and enlightening way. This film history podcast travels through the forgotten stars, movies, and scandals from the early days. It provides relevant, informed commentary on film history, including the actors and actresses at the center of it.

7. The Secret History of Hollywood

Do you wish you could go behind the scenes of iconic Hollywood movies? Similarly to our previous recommendation, The Secret History of Hollywood aims to uncover the untold side of cinema. Host Adam Roche offers a documentary-style narration, teaching listeners about different aspects of Hollywood. The accompanying music adds energy to the episodes, which is essential since they are one of the longest on this list. While past episodes have exceeded three hours, some bypass the seven-hour mark. These aren’t episodes you can listen to in one go unless you’re on a long commute! Nonetheless, they are well informed and make a great classic movie podcast.

8. The Monsters That Made Us

Old horror movies are as iconic as they come and have impacted cinema in various ways. If you’re interested in film history, you should tune into horror movie podcasts to understand the genre’s role in modern movies. 

The Monsters Who Made Us is an excellent example of a show that does this. Each episode analyzes a classic movie and its characters. For instance, previous installments have explored Frankenstein and The Phantom of the Opera . It’s an exciting and informative classic movie podcast, especially for fans of the traditional gothic genre.

9. Black on Black Cinema

A film history podcast wouldn’t paint a complete picture without discussing the role of Black actors and filmmakers. Throughout history, the industry has had its issues, particularly with discrimination on the screen and behind the scenes. The hosts in this show chat about the Black film industry, including classics and contemporary favorites. While they bring an honest and heavy conversation to the table, the hosts also balance the show with humor. It has become one of the top movie podcasts. So, tune in to Black on Black Cinema for a relevant and revealing conversation about films.

Best movie review podcasts  

Have you been scrolling through streaming sites to find a film to watch? Why don’t you try the following movie review podcasts? They offer varied and entertaining reviews of movies, old and new. 

10. To the ‘90s and Beyond

Our following entry of the best movie podcasts offers some nostalgia for 90s lovers. Previously known as Qwipster Film Review Podcast, Vince Leo hosts To The ’90s and Beyond . In the revamped version of the show, Leo creates informative and insightful episodes that average 30 minutes. 

Most notably, he focuses on movies from the 90s and their influence on modern cinema. However, since the show and viewers have an affinity for the 80s and 90s, Leo also talks about movies inspired by these decades. You’ll learn about originals like Godzilla and ongoing franchises like Jurassic Park films. It’s a well-rounded movie podcast featuring praise and criticism in equal parts.

11. The Big Picture

If your movie preferences change weekly, join Sean Fennessey and Amanda Dobbins (as well as other experts) on The Big Picture . The crew behind this movie review podcast critique all the must-see films to help you discover what to watch next. It is one of the best film podcasts thanks to the range of genres, from horror to comedies. Although they love analyzing releases, the team also discusses the Oscars, their top five, and many other facets of the film sector. Finding something for movie night is simple and entertaining with The Big Picture.  

12. Movies, Films, and Flix

Easy listening and witty conversations are all you need for some film podcasts. In this next show, Mark Hofmeyer explores the niche side of the industry and asks questions such as: What is Kurt Russell’s best sleeveless shirt? Movies, Films, and Flix is an enjoyable listen with a massive backlog of episodes. This may be the best movie podcast if you want to dive into everything from the most anticipated films to iconic actors and notable classics. 

Best filmmaking podcasts 

There is a cohort of podcasts about movies that dive behind the scenes. We’re talking about writing to production and everything in between. Discover the best filmmaking podcasts to learn how the industry works, brush up on your skills, and hear from industry experts.

13. Screenfix 

If you’re interested in the makings of your favorite films, you will enjoy listening to these hosts. Screenfix is, in part, a movie review podcast and a show where hosts pick apart a recent release. It’s an entertaining way to explore alternative plotlines and filming decisions. The hosts deliver with passion, offering informed and insightful commentary. So, if you’re looking for an easier-going filmmaking podcast, Screenfix is a good option. 

14. The Director’s Cut

The following show is one of the best filmmaking podcasts around. Although there are many great options where experts can chat about top-rated movies, The Director’s Cut hears directly from the creators. The show features some of the best, from Micheal B. Jordan talking about Creed III to James Cameron discussing Avatar: The Way of Water . Produced by the Directors Guild of America, this film podcast delivers insider scoop and captivating tales from filmmakers. These behind-the-scenes chats will reveal what it takes to bring together a globally loved movie.

15. Scriptnotes

Scriptnotes is the ultimate film podcast for people who want to get into the industry or are simply interested in how it works. Since screenwriters John August and Craig Mazin host the show, it is an excellent resource for aspiring writers. The pair discuss numerous topics on film, TV, and the creation process. More specifically, you can learn what makes a great character, how to adapt a book to the screen, and even more technical topics like copyright law. Check out Scriptnotes for reliable advice on film, TV, and writing. 

If you like movie review podcasts, you’ll love Headway

If you’re a fan of movie podcasts, you may be curious about what makes a script Oscar-worthy or what happens in the lives of Hollywood’s favorite stars. If so, check out the Headway app. 

Our nonfiction book summaries explore various genres, from peeking into the lives of stars such as Will Smith to self-growth topics like careers and relationships. Furthermore, since we prioritize accessibility, you can enjoy a beautiful, easy-to-use interface. With colorful visuals and natural voiceovers, the app is calming and gently stimulating to engage your mind.

Are you ready to expand your knowledge, improve your script writing, or unleash creativity? Download the Headway app and dive into our vast library of literature tidbits.

What podcast talks about bad movies?

How Did This Get Made? is an excellent example of a movie podcast focusing on low-rated films. They are usually easy-going and make great entertainment for your commute. 

What is a film review podcast?

Movie review podcasts typically analyze a chosen film in depth, helping listeners decide if they should watch it. Some notable shows include To The ’90s and Beyond and The Big Picture. 

What is a nonfiction storytelling podcast?

Nonfiction storytelling podcasts focus on factual stories enhanced by the host’s engaging narration. For instance, You Must Remember This is a film history podcast telling the stories of old Hollywood. If you love narrative movie podcasts, you may enjoy listening to our natural voiceovers on the Headway app.

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Build a Great Review Podcast

Create a review show that tells your listeners about the best movies, music, and books, with insight they can find nowhere else .

Podcasting is perfectly suited for the review format, and such shows became popular quickly. Putting together a review show is straightforward, assuming you do some homework first. When podcasting first got started, I jumped in with the first movie review, commentary, and discussion show, called Reel Reviews—Films Worth Watching ( http://reelreviewsradio.com/ ). While my goal was to talk about great films readily available on DVD, the lessons I learned in producing the show hold true for any review format show.

Using my experience, let’s examine how to produce a great review show.

Talk About What You Know and Enjoy

Roger Ebert is such a mainstay among movie reviewers because you can tell he has a passion for film, and he enjoys talking about it, studying it, and critiquing it. As is often the case, subject matter for which the presenter has enthusiasm can often lead to compelling listening. When setting up a review show, make sure it is a topic about which you can speak with some authority and enthusiasm.

Creating a podcast involves a commitment to your listeners; they are counting on the fact that you will continue to produce shows. If your subject matter is not something that you get excited about, rethink whether you should proceed. In my case, I have been talking about film for years to anyone who was interested. As such, making the transition to a podcast just involved letting a few thousand more people in on the conversation.

Know Your Audience

It is imperative that you clearly define who your audience is. Think about whom you want to attract as listeners and how best to provide the content they will find useful. These decisions will have an impact on the length of your show, what (if any) accompanying material you put with your reviews, and ultimately how you will market the show. This is some of the most critical planning you will do when creating your show. I cannot stress its importance enough.

Have Clear Points to Convey

The secret of a great review show is in the preparation. Think through the major themes and points you want to identify and highlight for your listeners. Is there a theme you can use as a bridge to tie together the individual points? When talking about film, art, or music, this is often an effective method.

Unlike other types of podcasts, review shows have some unique requirements. A review show’s goal is to convey facts and impressions about the review subject. This is where it can get challenging for the podcaster. To ensure that you get all the important points covered, you need to make some choices.

The most important choice you must make is how you will prepare. Let me share what has worked for me. When I first started podcasting, I would outline five or six bullet points I wanted to make sure I covered, and then simply started recording. This proved to be a very natural style for me; I was comfortable and reasonably satisfied with the results. As I continued to produce additional shows, I felt it was important to include more and more detail. I thought this would add to my movie commentary. This culminated in one particular recording that I must have started over 15 times, as I kept getting lost in my rather detailed outline.

That was the breaking point. I tore up the outline, jotted down the five or six bullet points, and ended up recording it with no further hassle. That day, I learned that I am much more comfortable just speaking. If I can create a podcast in which I “talk” to my listeners, I feel that I produce a much more compelling and interesting show. Invariably by using this technique, I always forget to mention something, but my listeners don’t know that, and I have yet to get a complaint about something I didn’t say. While as a podcaster you might be frustrated that you forgot something, the beauty of audio is that it is transitory, and people experience it in a linear fashion. It allows for much more leeway than the written word, where someone can search back and forth.

Of course, there is another option: the scripted show. Some people have been successful with this approach, so it is important to consider. If you are more comfortable being completely prepared, you can script out your entire show. This will ensure that you don’t miss any points. It will also dramatically increase the amount of time required to prepare your show.

If you choose to script your show, it is all the more important to concentrate on your delivery. People are generally turned off if you sound like you are reading. Frankly, if you are reading, you should just post the text. This is why it is important to interject your personality into your presentation. Make sure you accentuate the high points and drive home your conclusions regarding the material you are reviewing.

Not everyone will agree with you, but nothing is worse than a reviewer with no conviction in her opinion. Frankly, some controversy regarding your opinion will foster debate and added attention to your podcast. Right or wrong, you will earn listeners’ respect by being genuine and truthful in your opinion.

Podcasting is an extremely rewarding experience. When running a review show, it is an exciting experience to find out that people have made a decision based on your reviews and opinions. In my case, I get email everyday from people who have rented or purchased the films I discuss in my podcast. For me, that was the whole goal: to discuss and encourage people to see great films.

Great Review Podcasts

Here is how some other review podcasters have gone about making their podcasts stand out.

(Cool) Shite on the Tube.

Mix lots of beer, a few movies, and three Australians, shake well, and you get the (Cool) Shite on the Tube podcast ( http://coolshite.net/ ). Bruce Moyle, Chris Rattray, RDon, and Q-Dog take their knowledge of movies and their ability to sit around and trash films to its logical conclusion as a review show. Their podcast is a vivid illustration of the value of the multihost format, particularly in review shows. The interplay between the hosts gives the podcast its infectious appeal while making it much easier to produce. The fun they have as a group talking about the movies comes through in the show.

The raw and uncut feel comes from the minimal editing and preparation. They watch the movie on Tuesday. Then Bruce cuts a few snippets of audio out of the movie. On Sunday they get together to have a few beers and record the show. They use GarageBand, Audio Hijack Pro [Hack #50] , a cheap amplifier, and a Styrofoam cup to hold the microphone.

They’ve taken most of the feedback they received about the show to heart, and are working on making some improvements.

Overall, the difficulties in producing their show are minor: getting together on time can be tough, and remembering to turn on the microphone is critical. Their advice for review podcasters is to drink, and redo everything a couple of times the first time out.

Adam Kempenaar and Sam Hallgren of the Cinecast movie review podcast ( http://cinecastshow.com/ ) take the buddy film approach to movie reviews. They use the two-person format to feed off of each other’s insight into each film. They don’t script their show too much. They prefer instead to use the conversational tone of the podcast medium to engage themselves and their listeners in a dialog about the film. Sometimes the reviews run in their ideal range of 15 to 20 minutes, but other times they get so caught up in the conversation that time flies and the podcast ends up being much longer.

Adam has been reviewing movies for five years for the Daily Iowan . He was self-conscious at first and would validate his reviews against what other critics were saying. But now he has the confidence to avoid any reviews before he has seen the movie and has settled on his own opinion.

Their advice for potential movie reviewers is to take it seriously . You can be funny, but you should keep it professional. Create a format and write some notes so that it feels like a well-produced show. But more importantly, use your unique perspective to provoke listeners to think about the film’s meaning and to get at what the film was trying to say. Have confidence in your own critique and express it with conviction.

Various and Sundry DVD podcast.

The Various and Sundry DVD podcast ( http://variousandsundry.com/ ) grew out of Augie De Blieck Jr.’s text blog. Each week he would take the listings for the DVDs to be released on Tuesday, and copy and paste the ones that interested him it onto his blog with some of his own comments. It became a huge hit because it gave his listeners a shopping guide to take with them on their Tuesday DVD purchasing trips. It was an easy next logical step to turn his DVD blog into a DVD podcast.

The format is pretty straightforward. He uses TextEdit to fill his show notes with the DVD release list. Then he goes to the Internet Movie Database ( http://imdb.com/ ) to do some research on the films that interest him or his listeners. He is thinking about adding some show format elements, but it’s a commitment of time that he doesn’t have.

On the recording side he keeps it simple. He uses Audacity [Hack #50] and a Sony ECM-MS907 [Hack #13] that hooks into his G5 Power Mac. He uses a stand to keep the microphone steady, and a windscreen to keep the plosives down. He records in one shot, and if he messes up, he just stops, goes back to the beginning of the sentence, and starts again. Then he edits it all down in post-production. He can take up to an hour to get a 5- to 10-minute show to sound right. Once he’s finished editing, he uses the MP3 export in Audacity to build the podcast file, and edits the ID3 tags in iTunes. Then he uploads the file to the server with a hand-coded RSS 2.0 [Hack #37] file.

Through his podcast, he has created a bidirectional conversation with his audience. He has heard from his listeners that his recommendations have encouraged them to try out DVDs they wouldn’t have otherwise. And his listeners have broadened his viewing taste as well.

For the comic-book fans out there, he also has a comics podcast called the Pipeline Comic Book Podcast ( http://comicbookresources.com/rss/ ) that does for comics what his first podcast did for DVDs.

His advice to would-be DVD reviewers is to hold your ground on your opinions, even in the light of negative feedback. And keep your show on a schedule that people can follow predictably, to build your audience.

TheForce.Net.

TheForce.Net ( http://theforce.net/ ) covers everything in the Star Wars universe, including the movies, the games, the books, the action figures, and more. Erik Blythe, having done his own personal podcast, thought The Force Network readers would enjoy a news and commentary podcast dedicated to their favorite topic. He uses Sonic Foundry to record from his Plantronics computer microphone [Hack #12] . Then he mixes down with Sony’s ACID [Hack #50] . The result is around 15 minutes of engaging Star Wars news and opinion.

He starts by laying out each show into three segments: news, commentary, and a featured item. The news is sourced from TheForce.Net site, or through other fan sites. News about the movies must come directly from Lucasfilm press releases. Rumors must have multiple sources. For his feature segments, he does interviews and round-table discussions from Star Wars conventions. He has a scripted intro and outtro [Hack #63] . His outtro segment encourages his listeners to contact him with feedback on the show, which so far has been roundly positive.

The listeners have responded best to the commentary segments. Erik believes this is because he knows what he would like to hear and he uses that to guide the show. He keeps mind of his pacing through the show and is careful not to lose listeners’ attention with dull content. The key, according to Erik, is to keep the listeners’ mind engaged with fresh news and commentary on the Star Wars universe, which provides them with new points of view.

“Adopt a Format for Your Podcast” [Hack #20]

“Mix Multiple Tracks” [Hack #60]

“Grab Audio Legally” [Hack #67]

— Michael W. Geoghegan

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How to write podcast scripts: Tips and templates to structure your episodes

Expand for key takeaways:

A great podcast might sound or look effortless, but there’s a lot of prep work that goes into the show before the host hits “record.” A key component of that prep work is a podcast script.

A podcast script is an outline or sketch of what takes place during your episode. It’s not like a movie script, where every word and scene are mapped out and strictly adhered to. Rather, it’s a set of guardrails that keeps your show focused while also leaving room for spontaneity. Podcast scripts can be as minimal or as detailed as you want, depending on the type of show you have, your experience level, and how much structure you prefer. Podcast scripts can put your mind at ease while recording since you know in advance what you’ll talk about. They also give your show structure, which helps you maintain a consistent style that listeners will grow to love. Sticking to a script can even shorten your editing time because you won’t be straying into off-topic conversations, which you might then remove. If you’ve never written one before, don’t sweat it. This guide has all the templates and tips you need to write well-structured podcast scripts, no matter what kind of show you create.

‍ Podcast script elements

The specifics of podcast scripts vary depending on whether you host a solo show, interview guests, or have a co-host. However, there are some basic podcast script elements that most creators should be familiar with:

• Intro: A short message that welcomes your audience, introduces you (and your co-host, if you have one), and top-lines what you’ll discuss in two to three sentences
• Guest introduction: A few sentences explaining who your guest is and why they’re joining your show
• Segue/transition: A spoken phrase or sound effect that indicates a new segment of the episode
• Recap: A brief summary of the main ideas you discussed in the episode
• Outro: A message that marks the end of the episode, whether that’s a simple “thanks for tuning in” or a catchphrase you’ve developed
• Call to action (CTA): Favors you ask of your listeners, such as subscribing, rating, reviewing, or sharing on social media

Now it’s time to assemble these elements into a podcast script.

How to write a podcast script: Solo show

If you host a show by yourself, podcast scripts are a great way to prepare your talking points in advance so you don’t have to gather your thoughts mid-episode. Before you start writing, take a minute to consider: What are the main points I want to convey in this episode? Once you identify those, the smaller details can flow from there. Let’s say your podcast is about running, and you’re planning an episode where you talk to listeners about choosing the right pair of shoes. Organize your thoughts in your script document, starting with the main points and progressing to supporting points. Here’s what that could look like:

• Main point 1: Determine your running routine
• Road running vs. trail running
• Running mileage
• Main point 2: Your fit preferences
• Shoes for flat feet vs. arched feet
• Shoes with more/less cushion
• Main point 3: Price
• Budget-friendly shoes for beginners
• More expensive shoes for advanced runners
• Recap: Routine, fit preferences, price
• CTA: Share this episode with a friend and follow on Twitter for running tips ‍

How to write a podcast script: Interview show

Podcast scripts for interviews can boost your confidence going into the show knowing you’ll have plenty to talk about. But they’re equally important to put your guest at ease, so they know what to expect—at least loosely. Outlining your interview questions in advance ensures you’ll cover all the questions and topics you want to address. As many hosts can attest, it’s easy to drift off-topic during an engaging conversation. Consider sharing your questions with your guest ahead of time, so you stay on the same page throughout the episode—pun definitely intended. If your conversation sparks some impromptu questions, that’s great! The script is there, so you have a basic foundation to work from (or fall back on if the conversation isn’t as free-flowing as expected). Maybe you host a podcast where you interview founders of female-owned businesses. You have the founder of Kayleigh’s Cake Pops coming on the show. Here’s what your script might look like:

• Guest introduction: Today’s guest is Kayleigh Smith, the founder of Kayleigh’s Cake Pops. She recently won an award for XYZ, and she’s here to tell us how she turned her side hustle into her main hustle within a year.
• Main topic 1: Background info
• Backstory behind the business
• Why cake pops?
• Main topic 2: Entrepreneurial mindset
• How did you know you were ready to run your business full-time?
• What was your biggest obstacle in that transition phase?
• Main topic 3: Growth
• How do you scale and still maintain a quality product?
• Is there such a thing as getting “too big?”
• Recap: Revisit three to four of Kayleigh’s best points
• CTA: Rate and review the show and make sure to visit Kayleigh’s website ‍

How to write a podcast script: Co-hosted show

If your podcast has multiple hosts, loosely scripting your episodes is a great way to make sure your talking points are distributed evenly and that you don’t interrupt or talk over each other. The key is mapping out the main segments while leaving room for free-flowing conversation. Think of it as a crossover between a solo podcast script and an interview podcast script. Perhaps you co-host a movie-review podcast, and you have an upcoming episode about a (fictional) movie called Penelope in Paris.

‍ Your podcast script could look something like this:

• Intro: Overview of movie, including release date, lead actors, director, etc.
• Main topic 1: Favorite scenes
• Host #1 thoughts
• Host #2 thoughts
• Main topic 2: Weak areas of the movie
• Main topic 3: Our official ratings
• Host #1 rating and final thoughts
• Host #2 rating and final thoughts
• Recap: Pros and cons of the movie
• CTA: Subscribe so you never miss a movie review!

3 tips to level-up your podcast scripts

No matter your podcast’s format or genre, these tips will help you write top-notch scripts, so your show can reach its potential.

1. Put all your ideas on the table

Writing in script format might feel awkward at first, especially when you’re buzzing with ideas. Set aside your podcast script template and jot down all of your thoughts and questions in a separate document. Once all the pieces are there, you can identify the main points and assemble them into a script.

2. Annotate your podcast script

Your audience won’t see your podcast script, so feel free to mark it up with notes to yourself like “dramatic pause here” or “emphasize here.” These little reminders will help your delivery feel more natural.

3. Add estimated timestamps

Timestamps help you define how long you’ll spend on each segment of the show, so you can stick to your desired episode length. For example, you might allocate five minutes for each interview question and two minutes for your recap.

Preparation: The invisible ingredient for podcasting success

Whether you have the gift of gab or you’re still building confidence behind the mic, podcast scripts provide the structure you need to create content that’s polished, focused, and engaging. Organization is important for podcasting, but so is speaking from the heart—and when you balance both, you’ll create a show audiences love.

SIMILAR CONTENT

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Podcast Review

The 9 Best Film Podcasts

D id you hear about the showdown between hyper-intelligent robots and a group of fearless artists determined to defend their craft? No, this isn’t the plot of Terminator Seven. Writers, actors, and directors across Hollywood have been striking against inadequate pay and in defense of their rights in the age of AI. If the ensuing content drought didn’t send you straight to TikTok, our list of top film podcasts will keep you entertained until Dune 2 hits the screens. And always remember, we must protect Sarah Connor.

Film is an art form where discussion can be as integral as watching. After all, what do you do after sitting in silence in the theatre for two hours? You go for a drink and talk about the movie. Everyone loves to discuss movies, so it’s no surprise that the film podcast scene is flourishing.  And just like the movies they discuss, film podcasts are full of tropes. There’s the “laugh about how terrible this movie is” trope. The “alienating niche film references” trope. Oh, and the “no-laughing-allowed, let’s talk about how politically insensitive this film is” trope. Any of these approaches can make for blockbuster podcasting, just as any of them can make for a box office dud. It’s like the difference between Goodfellas and John Travolta’s Gotti . They’re both mafia movies, telling epic tales of masculinity and hubris. But find me a critic that mentions Robert de Niro and John Travolta’s performances in the same breath, and I’ll show you someone paid off by the mob. Great movie podcasts add to the conversation around film and avoid mere self-indulgence — here’s a breakdown of the best.

Kermode and Mayo’s Take

If you’ve been mourning the end of the hugely popular Kermode on Film show, worry not. Britain’s “most loved film critic” has returned after a short hiatus to launch this new podcast with his long-time co-host, Simon Mayo. It all seems suspiciously similar: on-the-fly reviews, interviews with every A-List actor you can think of, and a slew of industry anecdotes. But it’s not all the same. They’re now talking about film-adjacent TV, too.

The jury’s still out on whether these two actually like each other. They bicker, interrupt and snipe, often hilariously. This argumentative format is all part of the experience, though. Don’t let the playful cynicism fool you; Kermode speaks eloquently about his love of cinema, and his honesty convinces.

How Did This Get Made?

What do the films Sharknado , Piranhaconda , and Zombeavers have in common? Besides starring water-based baddies, they’re all films we know are bad, but that we watch anyway because — eh, *shrugs* — sometimes you need reminding that you’re smarter than something. Cue How Did This Get Made? , the passion project of actors Paul Scheer, June Diane Raphael, and Jason Mantzoukas. The trio sit around a table twice a week to giggle at the plot holes, ludicrous dialogue, and dire acting in audience-picked “bad” movies. You’re probably best off watching the films first so you can gloat along. Chemistry and comic timing make this show a lot of fun.

You Must Remember This

Many movie podcasts re-live both the good and awful bits of the film you watched last night. Judging by the name, You Must Remember This might fool you into thinking it’s just that. But au contraire. Presented by Karina Longworth, this long-running podcast is a meticulously researched investigation into twentieth-century Hollywood, uncovering its “secret and/or forgotten histories.” Invariably, those shiny Hollywood images are not how you remembered them. Longworth is an author as well as a film critic, and these “podcast-essays” unfold like stories. She is currently embarking on a deep dive into Hollywood’s “Erotic Eighties,, an investigation into how the pornographic made its way into movie theatres. You Must Remember This is my pick for the most entertaining and informative film podcast.

The Director’s Cut

What goes into directing a film? You need an artistic vision, the nous to coax incredible performances from actors, and the ability to deal with the onslaught of inevitable delays and disasters that are part and parcel of making a film. Want to find out more? Look no further than this podcast produced by the lofty Director’s Guild of America, wherein the industry’s most lauded auteurs give their insights into how today’s best films are being made. Expect mostly male perspectives and plenty of nepotism. Nevertheless, this is essential listening for aspiring directors and the generally film-obsessed.

The Bechdel Cast

Just because Hollywood abounds with morally questionable big-wigs and nefarious practices doesn’t mean film podcasts have just to accept that. Take The Bechdel Cast for instance. It casts a critical eye on popular movies, inquiring whether they hold up to feminist and intersectional scrutiny. Taking the Bechdel Test as its jumping-off point (Are there at least two women talking in this movie? Great! Now, do they talk about anything besides a man ?), the show counters male-dominated Hollywood with astute, against-the-grain commentary, exploring the misogyny, homophobia, and racism that creep into a major director’s work.

You may know host Jamie Loftus from her brilliant Lolita Podcast , and this show delivers a similar cultural critique. It should be noted that the hosts can sometimes oversimplify a film or a director’s intentions (see the episode on Mulholland Drive). Nonetheless, this podcast will appeal to film enthusiasts sick of the patriarchy’s stranglehold over the film industry.

Classic Movie Musts

Have you ever looked at the comments section of an avant-garde film on MUBI? You’ll find, without fail, a glut of semi-coherent blathering. Think film-grads typing out grandiloquent monologues on the meaning of life, and how they glimpsed it in the film. Ultimately these comments demonstrate little more than the viewers’ ability to watch and enjoy a movie — a self-satisfied testament to their urbanity. Bravo, chap. Good for you. If you’re after seminal work, you might as well open an incognito browser and watch a completely different type of film.

Perhaps these film buffs are better off checking out Classic Movie Musts instead. Host Max Baril and his guests produce essayistic commentaries on classic films with appreciation very much in mind. The podcast offers a literary perspective, exploring the aesthetic and directorial decisions that make the classics brilliant. Expect interesting takes on the formal elements of camera work, set design, and narrative meaning.

Black on Black Cinema

Tired of film commentary whitewashing Black cinema? Bored of the slew of “Black” films engineered for white audiences? Black on Black Cinema began as a conversation by and for a Black audience. Films aren’t just a form of escapism, as hosts Terrence, Jay, Micah, and T’ara are well aware. For over seven years, this excellent podcast has been interspersing episodes focused on the issues of contemporary America with discussions of Black cinema. The show vibrates with the tensions that make cultural and political life in the United States seep into each other. But there’s no film jargon here and no doom and gloom despite it all. Each week, these hosts sit down for a casual but informed chat, throwing out opinions and laugh-out-loud jokes like they’re talking over a few beers.

Groovy Movies

After rubbing their eyes blearily from work, hosts Lily Austin and James Brailsford slam down their laptops at the end of the day to spend an hour talking about cinema on their podcast Groovy Movies . The show began last year as an analysis of individual films. Since then, the formula has changed slightly; each episode explores a broader subject, from auteur cinema to French film to plot twists. Put simply, every conversation will entertain and provoke. Slightly less simply, this show takes a dialectical approach to watching movies.

The tepid name possesses, under its British politeness, a steely-eyed focus. Taken from the name of a Kinks song, Groovy Movies demonstrates strong opinions and an unerring, though friendly, impulse to battle out their inter-generational perspectives. James wields the industry experience, whilst Lily has her finger on the pulse of the political talking points surrounding the industry. Neither theory nor practice wins out. Both push each other to enhance their perspective, making it a great one for film buffs.

The Microbudget Indie Filmmakers Podcast  

No doubt, reader, you are now up to your ears in conversations about films. You can now happily zone out during your daily commute. But if one day soon, as you stare vacantly down the carriage, the itch takes you to make a film yourself, why not switch on this brilliant show and take the plunge?

Host Zanah Thirus returned this year by popular demand, releasing new episodes more-or-less monthly. If Zanah needs further encouragement to keep posting her episodes on how to make a movie with almost no budget, we encourage her to let the podcast run and run. Partnering with Minorities in Film, The Microbudget is for those without the wallet or the family background to waltz into the next blockbuster. If you’ve got the passion, the dedication, and the eye to be a filmmaker, this show is for you.

Matthew Seaton is a writer based in Glasgow. His work has appeared in Erato Magazine and The Dillydoun Review and he is a founding editor of the event-zine chewgulpspit. He is currently completing a Master’s degree in Creative Writing. You can contact him at [email protected]

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The 7 best movie podcasts every cinephile should be listening to

A selection of podcasts you should bung into your earbuds

There are thousands of movie podcasts available right now, but picking the right one to bung into your earbuds can be a hassle. Do you go for a series devoted to movie trivia? Weekly reviews? The making of a blockbuster?

With so much variety, we've searched high and low for the best movie podcasts. We've even started our own, featuring some of the best movie writers in the business! (Yes, we're biased, but we're also correct.) Of course, not every movie podcast could make the cut, but here's our selection tailer-made for cinephiles. 

Ghibliotheque

The Studio Ghibli movies are beautiful works of art that need to be discussed. And if you're watching them for the first time, there's no better accompaniment that Ghibliotheque. The podcast sees a seasoned Studio Ghibli fanatic and a newcomer to the iconic movies discuss each movie after watching them. 

Their discussions on Spirited Away, My Neighbour Totoro, and Princess Mononoke are highlights, plus some of the later podcasts are recorded with a live audience, making for all sorts of shenanigans. You can listen here . 

The Evolution of Horror

There are few people who love their horror like Mike Muncer. The host of The Evolution of Horror podcast adores the genre, and on his podcast celebrates as much with a rotating roster of guests – including a couple of GamesRadar+ and Total Film writers. 

If you love a good fright – and talking about why you're a wimp when it comes to certain spooky clowns or famous slashers, then The Evolution of Horror is ready-made for you. Highlights include discussions on The Exorcist, Suspiria (remake and original), and The Texas Chainsaw Massacre. You can listen here .

School of Movies

Alex and Sharon Shaw are two of the hardest working people in podcasting. As well as hosting a series of alternate history audio dramas, they also produce School of Movies, a deep dive into films and TV. 

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What's unique about the pair is that, in an industry laden down with endless snark, they approach each movie in an inclusive, fair fashion. We recommend starting with their Sucker Punch episode, which – while nearly 3 hours long – is a wonderful discussion on a controversial movie. You can listen here .

Black List Table Reads

We're slightly cheating here, as Black List Table Reads ended back in 2017. Yet, there's a wealth of content to go back and explore. The premise is simple: the hosts take the best at-the-time-unproduced screenplays in Hollywood and turn them into "ear movies". Each one is followed by an interview with the author, conducted by Black List founder Franklin Leonard. 

As the podcast went on, the guests became more acclaimed, including Barry Jenkins, who discussed the making of his Oscar-winning movie Moonlight. A must listen to anyone who wants to know more about the movie-making and script-writing process. You can listen here .

Inside Total Film

Again, we're slightly cheating, but not because this podcast has finished – but because it's ours! Every fortnight, the Total Film team discuss the latest film news and releases, ranging from the week's biggest blockbusters to the hidden art-house gems that every film buff should be seeking out. 

Hosted by editor-in-chief Jane Crowther, the Inside Total Film podcast also sees the editorial team – consisting of some of the country's most knowledgeable cinephiles – interview some of the biggest filmmakers and actors currently working. Recent guests include Sam Mendes, Robert Pattinson, Felicity Jones, and Tom Hanks. You can listen here .

How Did This Get Made?

A gloriously NSFW sprint through some of the worst movies ever made, How Did This Get Made? is fast-paced, funny, and powered by the hosts’ personalities. Jason Mantzoukas (The Good Place), Paul Scheer (Veep), and June Diane Raphael (Long Shot) pull zero punches as they take down some so-called "classics". 

What makes the show work is how in-depth they always go. In fact, you get three shows in one feed: the movie discussions, live episodes with an audience, and prequels (where they answer audience questions and do some surprisingly personal magazine pieces). Hate watching has never been this much fun. You can listen here.

You Must Remember This

Karina Longworth's passion project, You Must Remember This offers an in-depth look at the Hollywood of old: the rise and fall of the studios, the history and consequences of the McCarthy hearings, and the lives of classic stars. 

Longworth lets her stories speak for themselves, but always gives context when needed. Start with episode two, Frank Sinatra in Space, about Sinatra's forgotten three-disc science fiction concept album. You can listen here.

GamesRadar+ was first founded in 1999, and since then has been dedicated to delivering video game-related news, reviews, previews, features, and more. Since late 2014, the website has been the online home of Total Film, SFX, Edge, and PLAY magazines, with comics site Newsarama joining the fold in 2020. Our aim as the global GamesRadar Staff team is to take you closer to the games, movies, TV shows, and comics that you love. We want to upgrade your downtime, and help you make the most of your time, money, and skills. We always aim to entertain, inform, and inspire through our mix of content - which includes news, reviews, features, tips, buying guides, and videos.

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Jennifer Lopez's Atlas Becomes Big Hit on Netflix Despite Negative Reviews

Atlas may have received largely negative reviews from critics, but that didn't stop the science fiction movie from becoming a huge hit on Netflix . The Jennifer Lopez-led feature topped the charts on the streaming giant two days after its debut.

Per ComicBook.com , Atlas took the number one spot on the Sunday, May 26 edition of the Netflix Top 10 Movies. Sony's Madame Web , which previously topped the list , was knocked down to second place. Despite sitting at rotten on the review aggregate website Rotten Tomatoes with a 17 percent critics' score, Netflix subscribers still pressed play on Atlas . This marks Lopez's second Netflix exclusive movie to perform well on the streamer, following her action thriller, The Mother , which garnered 249 million viewing hours during the first half of 2023 .

Jennifer Lopez Reveals Why Netflix's Atlas Script Made Her Cry

In Atlas , Lopez stars as a brilliant but misanthropic data analyst with a deep distrust of artificial intelligence, who joins a mission to capture a renegade robot with whom she shares a mysterious past. However, when plans go awry, her only hope of saving the future of humanity from AI is to trust it. Brad Peyton — who is best known for his frequent collaborations with Dwayne Johnson — directed the science fiction action film from a screenplay by Leo Sardarian and Aron Eli Coleite. Besides Lopez, Atlas stars Simu Liu ( Shang-Chi ), Sterling K. Brown ( This Is Us ), and Mark Strong ( Kingsman: The Secret Service ), among others.

Simu Liu Discusses Playing Atlas' Villain

While Liu is largely recognized for playing the superhero Shang-Chi in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Atlas sees the actor stepping into a more villainous role, which he cherished playing. In an exclusive interview with CBR , Liu shared that he found playing a villain "very freeing," explaining, "Playing a straight lead character, like a straight man, comes with a lot of rules. It's a lot of, 'You can't do this,' or 'You can't do that,' or 'You can't appear [as] too much of this.' You're juggling the thread of the story, and you've got to carry so much. I feel like a villain has so much more of a blank canvas in front of them."

He added, "Harlan, in particular, is one that you kind of build from the ground up because he's not human. There's very little an actor can do. It's not drawing on human experiences. It's building the artifice of what this artificial intelligence is meant to be, represent or make someone feel."

Netflix Reveals First Look at the Cast of Sons of Anarchy Creator's New Western Series

Netflix ceo dismisses ai concerns.

Lopez's character may distrust AI, but Atlas ' distributor, Netflix, is seemingly in favor of the controversial technology. Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos recently shared his thoughts on AI , revealing that he thinks Hollywood creatives will begin to use AI more frequently as "a tool to do their jobs better and to do things more efficiently and more effectively." He doesn't believe that AI will ever replace human creatives, despite many people worrying that it will, saying, "I have more faith in humans than that. I really do. I don’t believe that an AI program is going to write a better screenplay than a great writer, or is going to replace a great performance, or that we won’t be able to tell the difference. AI is not going to take your job."

Atlas is available to stream on Netflix.

Source: Netflix, via ComicBook.com

Atlas (2024)

Director Brad Peyton

Release Date May 24, 2024

Cast Abraham Popoola, Gregory James Cohan, Mark Strong, Simu Liu, Sterling K. Brown, Jennifer Lopez, Lana Parrilla

Writers Leo Sardarian, Aron Eli Coleite

Rating PG-13

Main Genre Sci-Fi

Genres Sci-Fi, Action, Adventure

Studio(s) Berlanti-Schechter Films, ASAP Entertainment, Safehouse Pictures, Nuyorican Productions

Distributor(s) Netflix

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‘The Garfield Movie’ Cast and Character Guide: Who Voices Whom?

By Dessi Gomez

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The Garfield Movie   has arrived in theaters ahead of Memorial Day to kick off the summer fun alongside  Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga . The animated feature film stars the titular orange tabby cat in a coming-of-age story based on Jim Davis’ iconic cartoon strips and an adapted script from David Reunolds ( Finding Nemo ) based on an earlier draft from Paul Kaplan & Mark Torgove. Mark Dindal ( Chicken Little ) directs the creature feature.

With Chris Pratt bringing Garfield to life and Samuel L. Jackson voicing his streetwise and long-list father Vic, the film boasts quite an ensemble of voice actors that further contribute to Garfield’s adventure. Ted Lasso alumni Brett Goldstein and Hannah Waddingham lend their familiar vocals to the movie as do Saturday Night Live alumni Bowen Yang and Cecily Strong.

Those thinking that they’ve heard certain characters in The Garfield Movie voice cast before can check their guesses below:

Garfield (Voiced By Chris Pratt)

Chris Pratt ( Parks and Recreation , Guardians of the Galaxy ) voices the titular lasagna-loving orange tabby cat, who hates Mondays in The Garfield Movie .

Vic (Voiced by Samuel L. Jackson)

Samuel L. Jackson ( Pulp Fiction ,  Captain Marvel ) voices Vic, Garfield’s long-lost father in The Garfield Movie .

Nolan (Voiced By Bowen Yang)

 Bowen Yang ( Fire Island , SNL ) voices Nolan in The Garfield Movie .

Marge (Voiced By Cecily Strong)

 Cecily Strong ( SNL ,  Schmigadoon! ) voices Marge in The Garfield Movie .

Jinx (Voiced By Hannah Waddingham)

 Hannah Waddingham ( Ted Lasso ,  The Fall Guy ) voices Jinx in The Garfield Movie .

Otto (Voiced By Ving Rhames)

Ving Rhames ( Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One) voices Otto in The Garfield Movie.

Roland (Voiced By Brett Goldstein)

Brett Goldstein ( Ted Lasso ) voices Roland in The Garfield Movie .

Maurice (Voiced By Snoop Dogg)

Snoop Dogg ( Turbo, Starsky & Hutch ) voices Maurice in The Garfield Movie .

John Arbuckle (Voiced By Nicholas Hoult)

Nicholas Hoult ( The Great , Warm Bodies ) voices Garfield’s owner John Arbuckle in The Garfield Movie .

Olivia (Voiced By Janelle James)

Janelle James ( Abbott Elementary ) voices Olivia in The Garfield Movie .

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6 New Movies Our Critics Are Talking About This Week

Whether you’re a casual moviegoer or an avid buff, our reviewers think these films are worth knowing about.

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By The New York Times

CRITIC’S PICK

He’s got killer charisma.

Gary (played by Glen Powell) is a reserved philosophy professor who finds himself posing as a hit man for a sting operation in this Richard Linklater comedy. While in disguise, he falls for one of his clients (Adria Arjona).

From our review:

If I see a movie more delightful than “Hit Man” this year, I’ll be surprised. It’s the kind of romp people are talking about when they say that “they don’t make them like they used to”: It’s romantic, sexy, hilarious, satisfying and a genuine star-clinching turn for Glen Powell, who’s been having a moment for about two years now. It’s got the cheeky verve of a 1940s screwball rom-com in a thoroughly contemporary (and slightly racier) package. I’ve seen it twice, and a huge grin plastered itself across my face both times.

In theaters. Read the full review .

It’s worse than Mondays.

‘the garfield movie’.

The grouchy tabby gets another big-screen adaptation, this time following an unexpected reunion with his father.

The film, directed by Mark Dindal, is an inert adaptation that mostly tries to skate by on its namesake. In other words, it’s a Garfield movie that strangely doesn’t feel as if Garfield as we know him is really there at all. Part of this can be attributed to the voice — Chris Pratt, an overly spunky casting choice that was doomed from the start — but there’s also a built-in defect to the very concept of the big-screen Garfield treatment. An animated, animal-centric children’s movie tends to require a narrative structure of action-packed adventure — the antithesis of Garfield the cat’s raison d’être.

An A.I. movie that sticks to the script.

In this sci-fi thriller, Jennifer Lopez plays Atlas, a data analyst with a distaste for artificial intelligence, who must help capture an A.I. robot that wants to destroy humanity.

Lopez, who was also a producer on the movie, flings herself into the role with abandon, the kind of performance that’s especially impressive given that she’s largely by herself throughout. … At times “Atlas” feels like pure pastiche, and it looks, in a fashion we’re getting used to seeing on the streamers, kind of cheap, dark, plasticky and fake, particularly in the big action sequences. Science fiction often earns its place in memory by envisioning something new and startling — but with “Atlas,” we’ve seen it all before.

Watch on Netflix . Read the full review .

The sorrow and the surreal.

‘kidnapped: the abduction of edgardo mortara’.

Based on a true story, this film follows a Jewish child, Edgardo Mortara, in 19th-century Italy who is kidnapped by the papal state and raised as Roman Catholic.

The director, Marco Bellocchio, anchors the period with a somber visual elegance and employs surreal gestures to tease out the psychological and spiritual aspects of the tragedy. Political cartoons lambasting Pope Pius IX come to life through animation. During an especially sorrowful moment in the boy’s confinement, one of the figures of the crucified Christ in the Roman dormitory for child converts takes leave of his cross with the help of little Edgardo.

Shantay, you stay.

In Montreal, Simon (Théodore Pellerin) pursues a career as a drag queen and contends with two thorny relationships: a destructive crush on a fellow performer and a reunion with his absentee mother.

“Solo” is a subtle snapshot into a gay man’s profound yet familiar upheavals. Simon’s drag spectacles may be intentionally fierce and operatic, but there’s something refreshing about this drama’s intimate scale and lack of interest in sweeping tragedies, especially in the context of queer cinema.

Inspirational, not necessarily insightful

A man who endured a traumatic childhood during the Chinese Cultural Revolution becomes a world-renowned eye surgeon in this fictionalized account of the life of Dr. Ming Wang.

As is the custom with inspirational medical movies, however, the new film “Sight,” directed by Andrew Hyatt, leans hard into uplift — it provides only the narrative-necessary minimum of the science. Wang’s achievement in developing innovative technology is central to one of the stories here, yes. But the dominating narrative is one of personal growth.

Compiled by Kellina Moore .

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Bird review: newcomer nykiya adams delivers a stunning performance in disappointing harrowing drama.

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Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire Box Office Eeks Past Major Global Milestone Despite VOD Release

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• Nykiya Adams shines in debut role, bringing raw emotion to Bailey's troubled life in Bird.
• Arnold's film fails to explore Bailey and Bird's friendship effectively, hindered by problematic directional choices.
• The use of magical realism in Bird feels like an easy way out, overshadowing potential for genuine storytelling.

British filmmaker Andrea Arnold returned to the Cannes Film Festival to present her latest feature, Bird . A harrowing narrative that contemplates the transition from girlhood to womanhood, Arnold uses magical realism to capture preteen angst with a strong desire for existential freedom. With three Cannes Jury prizes already to her name, the director aimed to dig deep into the chaos of life when violence and uncertainty are at the forefront. Unfortunately, the attempt to dissect real-world concerns from a preteen perspective is clouded by poor directional choices.

12-year-old Bailey lives with her single dad Bug and brother Hunter in a squat in North Kent. Bug doesn't have much time for his kids and Bailey who is approaching puberty seeks attention and adventure elsewhere.

• Nykiya Adams delivers a great debut performance.
• Arnold makes some problematic directional choices.
• The film's perspective is limiting as it only focuses on Bailey's viewpoint.
• The use of magical realism disrupts good storytelling.

Bird Is An Authentic Tale Of Preteen Angst When Positive Influences Are Limited

The story follows Bailey (Nykiya Adams), a smart but easily influenced 12-year-old who lives with her father Bug (Barry Keoghan) and brother Hunter (Jason Buda) in Kent. Navigating the world has been challenging for Bailey, as her main influence is a father whose new business venture involves selling a hallucinogen from the slime of an imported toad. Her mother Peyton (Jasmine Jobson) is now in a violent relationship with another man named Skate (James Nelson-Joyce), whose tick meter is always at full bar. Her “friends” consist of local gang members and self-proclaimed vigilantes who incite violence in households to protect children.

With such a troublesome childhood, it’s easy to see why any sudden disruption would cause Bailey to explode. When Bug confirms he’s going to marry Kayleigh (Frankie Box), his girlfriend of three months, Bailey is enraged and leaves to sleep in a field. After waking, she meets Bird (Franz Rogowski), a reserved stranger whose compassion for Bailey’s circumstances manifests in his selfless acts. Initially, it seems Bird is a figment of Bailey’s imagination, a fabrication designed to reimagine her life with freedom. But it becomes clear that he’s real, and Arnold’s exploration of Bailey and Bird's friendship becomes the film’s undoing.

Bird (2024)

The script makes crucial mistakes while introducing bird as a problem-solving companion.

Arnold’s storytelling initially captures Bird as a harmless do-gooder who just needs help to find his family. If that's the case, I have to question why anyone in the film isn’t perplexed enough to ask why this strange man would be seeking the help of a 12-year-old girl, at least enough to then do something about it. Conversely, if he’s as innocent as the film presents, why then would Arnold often capture him naked on rooftop edges, where Bailey can clearly see him? It’s uncomfortable either way, especially considering Bailey’s vulnerable mental state.

Arnold’s exploration of Bailey and Bird's friendship becomes the film’s undoing.

Though Bird adequately captures the world of preteen angst, I have to question Arnold's use of magical realism to solve the film’s inherent problems and Bailey’s troubles. The addition of it feels like an easy way out; capturing reality with no solution would have been more genuine. Life is complex and unfair that way, after all. That’s why Bird is ultimately a disappointment. Instead of a narrative focused on examining the mind and actions of a neglected child, the film opts for a feel-good ending as a last attempt to salvage the problematic and surface-level attempts at resolution.

For what it’s worth, Bird is well-acted and includes a stunning performance by Adams. Her ability to perform with emotion and physical rage is impressive. It’s also great to see Keoghan take on a role unfamiliar to many of his previous choices, even though it still feels as if he’s limited here. In reality, that’s an issue with the script as the film plays from Bailey’s perspective. Perhaps her limited interactions with the other characters further represents her isolation from her terrible reality, even though she’s reeling from the effects of it.

Instead of a narrative focused on examining the mind and actions of a neglected child, the film opts for a feel-good ending as a last attempt to salvage the problematic and surface-level attempts at resolution.

I wouldn’t go so far as to say that Bird is not worth the watch. In truth, the director’s ability to capture both intimate and grand moments through her lens showcases her dedication to sincere storytelling. Unfortunately, this body of work contains too many decision flaws, resulting in a film that leaves more questions than reasonable answers. Even after the use of magical realism steals some of the story's responsibility, it ends up playing like a surface-level examination of childhood trauma despite a profound narrative being within reach. Bailey’s story deserved better.

Bird had its premiere at the 2024 Cannes Film Festival.